Feb 21-29, 2009

KMD AGROMETEOROLOGICAL BULLETIN KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT 6th Dekad, 21st to 28th February, 2009

Issue No. 6/2009, Season: FMA

HIGHLIGHTS • During the 6th Dekad i.e. 21st – 28th February 2009, light to moderate rainfall was experienced over western and Nyanza Provinces, with Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Kericho, and Narok, recording 8.0, 8.5, 15.5, 27.5, and 23.8mm respectively. Some parts of Central, Nairobi and Eastern Province experienced light to moderate rainfall with, Nyeri, Dagoretti, JKIA, Thika, Marsabit, Embu, and Makindu recording, 19.1, 11.3, 25.5, 14.8, 17.4, 9.9, and 5.5 mm respectively. The rest country remained generally sunny and dry except for some significant rainfall of 9.3mm received at Mandera. (Fig 1, 2, 3, &4) • Day time temperatures were relatively high over most parts of the country during Dekad, with Lodwar, Mandera, Wajir, Makindu, and Dagoretti recording a Dekadal Mean day Maximum of 37.5, 37.2, 37.3, 33.1, and 27.0 deg Celsius respectively . (Fig1, 2, 3&4) • Night temperatures were relatively warmer over western and Central Rift Valley due to the slight increase in the cloud cover during Dekad with Nyahururu, Narok, and Eldoret Airport recording a Dekadal mean minimum of 7.4, 10.7, and 9.4 deg Celsius respectively. (Fig1, 2&3). • In pastoral regions and game parks of Northern Rift Valley, Southern Rift Valley, North Eastern and South Eastern, dry and sunny conditions prevailed resulting in scarce pastures/browse, severe water shortages for both human and animal use. Death of livestock has been reported in several pastoral regions due to the current drought and pastoralists are being advised to de-stock to avoid total loss. (Figs. 1- 4)

1 • Incidences of human/wildlife conflict over food and water have been reported to be on the rise, causing serious damages on farms and few cases of loss of human life, especially over areas bordering the game parks and game reserves. (Figs. 1- 4) • Famine and hunger was and is being experienced in many parts of the Country especially in Eastern, Central, Coast, Northeastern, Nyanza and Rift Valley Provinces which experienced inadequate rainfall during the last “Short Rains” season. Worst hit and life threatening cases areas in the Districts of Turkana, Pokot, Barigo, Samburu, Marlal, North and South Horr, Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, Tana, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita-Taveta, Machakos, Kitui, Kajiado and Narok e.t.c, just to mention a few which had experienced poor rainfall performances during the last 2-3 successive seasons. Famine relief efforts were under way to avert lose of human lives. (Figs. 1- 5)

CROP AND WEATHER REVIEW (21st to 28th February 2009)

Central Province and Nairobi Area: Light to moderate rainfall were experienced over few places, but dry and sunny conditions generally dominated the better part of the Dekad over most places in Central province, Nairobi area and its environs. Harvesting is complete with poor yields being reported in the few farms that had maize crop. Land preparation is taking place in readiness of the “Long Rains” Season. Famine/hunger is being experienced in many parts of Muranga, Maragua, Thika, Nyeri- North Kiambu and Kirinyaga Districts and stringent measures urgently required to arrest the food situation. (Figs.1-4).

Eastern Province: Light to moderate rainfall were experienced over few places, but dry and sunny conditions generally dominated the better part of the Dekad over most places bordering Mt. Kenya, in the Eastern Province. Harvesting is complete with poor yields being reported in the few farms that had the maize crop. Land preparation is taking place in readiness of the “Long Rains Famine/hunger is being experienced in the many parts of Mbeere District. (Figs.1, 2, 3 & 4).

In the Southern Lowlands of the Eastern Province (Machakos, Makueni, Mwingi and Kitui districts) insignificant rainfall was experienced over few places in these regions, but dry and sunny conditions generally dominated the better part of the Dekad. Land preparation is taking place in readiness of the “Long Rains.

2 Famine and its related impacts were still being experienced in most parts of these regions, due to the last two consecutive seasonal crop failure. Malnutrition levels are on the increase, especially among young children and the elderly. Food distribution to the vulnerable livelihoods has been taking place and food distribution to the most vulnerable livelihoods has been taking place. (Figs.1, 2, 3 & 4).

The current food situation has led to various human and animal activities which incude migration and settlement in other regions thereby adding more population pressure on the already degraded lands.

Some activities of concern such as chacoal burning as a source of income, hunting and use of roots as an alternative source of food are causing further land degradation thereby destroying the limited vegetation cover and exposing the soil to wind and water erosion.

In the pastoral regions, dry and sunny conditions has resulted in impoverished pastures and inadequate water situation for human, livestock and wildlife use. Death of livestock has been reported in several areas of this region due to the current drought and pastoralists are being advised to de-stock to avoid total loss. (Figs.1-5)

Coast Province: Sunny and dry conditions were predominant in this region during the period under review. Land preparation is taking place in readiness of the “Long Rains. Famine and its related impacts are being experienced in most parts of these region. (Figs.1-4)

The current food situation has led to activities that are causing further land degradation such as chacoal burning, and use of roots as an alternative source of food thereby destroying the limited vegetation cover.

In the pastoral region, dry and sunny conditions has resulted in impoverished pastures/browse and inadequate water situation for human, livestock and wildlife use. Death of livestock has been reported in several areas of this region due to the current drought and pastoralists are being advised de-stock to avoid total loss. (Figs.1-5)

North Eastern Province: Sunny and dry conditions were experienced over this region during the Dekad resulting in depressed pastures/browse and diminishing water sources for livestock, wildlife and human use and this may lead to death of livestock and wildlife. Death of livestock has been reported in several areas of this region due to the current drought and pastoralists are being advised to de- stock to avoid total loss.

3 Famine/hunger and its related impacts is still being experienced in the region due to inadequate rainfall for the last three consecutive seasons and malnutrition levels are still high, especially among young children and the elderly. Food distribution to the vulnerable livelihoods has been taking place. (Figs.1-4).

The current drought and food situation has led to various human and animal activities which incude migration and settlement in other regions thereby adding more population pressure on the already degraded lands.

Western Province: Light to moderate rainfall were experienced, but generally sunny and dry conditions were experienced during the Dekad over most places of this region (Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Eldoret and Kitale). Land preparation for the “Long Rain” Season is taking place. (Figs.1,2,3 & 4).

Nyanza and Central Rift Valley: Light to moderate rainfall were experienced, but generally sunny and dry conditions were experienced during the Dekad over few places in this regions. Land preparations in readiness or the “Long Rain” Season is taking place. In Nyanza maize crop harvesting is complete, with below nornal yields being reported. In areas around Kisii the maize is at the maturity stages and harvesting in some farms is underway with normal yields being reported. (Figs 1-4)

Northern and Southern Rift Valley: Sunny and dry conditions were experienced in most places of the North Western Riftvalley regions during the dekad resulting in depressed pastures and diminishing water sources for livestock, wildlife and human use. This has led to death of livestock and wildlife and pastoralists are being advised to sell off some of their livestock to avoid total loss. (Figs.1-4). Famine/hunger and its related impacts is being experienced and malnutrition levels are still high, especially among young children and the elderly. Famine reliefs efforts are under way to avert lose of human lives.

Some significant rainfall were experienced in a few places in the Southern Rift Valley region during the Dekad, this was a sigh of relief to the already depressed pastures and diminishing water sources for livestock, wildlife and human use. (Figs.1-6). Death of livestock has been reported in several areas of this region due to the current drought and pastoralists are being advised to de-stock to avoid total loss.

DEKADAL RAINFALL

RAINFALL

RAINFALL 15

0 Voi Kisii JKIA Meru Nyeri Wajir Thika Lamu Kitale Mwea Embu Narok Wilson Kabete Eldoret Malindi Nakuru Lodwar Moyale Kisumu Kericho Garissa Mtwapa Kabarak Makindu Marsabit Mandera Msabaha Dagoretti Katumani Mombasa EldoretAp Nyahururu Kakamega STATIONS

5 Fig. 1: Actual Rainfall (21st to 28th February, 2009) in mm

Fig. 2: Actual Rainfall (11th to 20th February, 2009) in mm

6 DEKADAL TEMPERATURES

MAX.TEMP. MIN.TEMP. MEAN TEMP.

40.0

35.0

30.0

25.0

20.0

TEMPERATURES 15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0 Voi Kisii JKIA Meru Nyeri Wajir Thika Lamu Kitale Mwea Embu Narok Wilson Kabete Eldoret Nakuru Malindi Lodwar Moyale Kisumu Kericho Garissa Mtwapa Kabarak Makindu Marsabit Mandera Dagoretti Msabaha Katumani Mombasa EldoretAp Nyahururu Kakamega STATIONS

Fig 3: Mean Temperatures (21st to 28th February, 2009) deg. Celsius

Fig 4: Mean Temperatures (21st to 28th February, 2009) deg. Celsius

Fig. 5: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (21st to 28th February, 2009)

EXPECTED WEATHER AND CROP CONDITIONS DURING THE NEXT 10 DAYS (1st –10th March, 2009).

During the next 10 days (1st - 10th March, 2009), Western, Nyanza and Central Rift Valley regions are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall over few places. Land preparations in readiness for the “Long Rain” Season are expected to continue.

Central Highlands, Nairobi area and its environs, are expected to experience generally sunny and dry conditions in most places with light rains over a few places. Land preparations are expected to continue in readiness of the “Long Rain” Season are expected to continue. Famine/hunger and its related impacts is expected continue being experienced in the region.

In Eastern Province regions of Embu and Meru districts, bordering Mt Kenya, are expected to experience mainly sunny and dry conditions in most places. Land preparations in readiness for the “Long Rain” Season are expected to continue. Famine/hunger and its related impacts is expected continue being experienced in the region.

In South-Eastern lowlands, sunny and dry conditions are expected to prevail over most parts of this region. Land preparations in readiness for the “Long Rain” Season are expected to continue. Famine/hunger and its related impacts is expected continue being experienced in the region. The prolonged dry spells are expected to continue depleting pastures and water sources for human, livestock and wildlife use and may lead to death of livestock.

The Coastal region is expected to experience generally sunny conditions will prevail during the Dekad. Land preparations in readiness for the “Long Rain” Season are expected to continue. Food insecurity is expected to continue. Famine/hunger and its related impacts is expected continue being experienced in the region.

In the pastoral regions of Northwestern, Northeastern and South Rift Valley districts sunny and dry conditions are expected to prevail resulting in depressed pastures and inadequate water sources for human and animal/wildlife use. Death of livestock is expected to be on the increase and the pastoralists are advised to sell off some of their livestock to minimize losses through death.

In summary, generally sunny conditions will prevail in most parts of the country with few places experiencing light rainfall. Famine and hunger is expected to be experienced in many parts of the Country due to poor crop performances/yields during the last concluded “Short-Rains” Season.

This product should be used in conjunction with Kenya Meteorological Department weather forecasts. For more information, Contact

The Kenya Meteorological Department Agrometeorological Division Dagoretti Corner, Ngong Road, P.O. Box 30259, 00100 GPO, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 3867880-7/3876957/3873682 Fax: +254 (0)20 3876955 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.meteo.go.ke